As more organizations migrate towards the Cloud, those that remain skeptical are often asked why they continue to approach the idea of adoption with caution.

It’s a valid question – the technology has proven time and again that it can be extremely cost-effective and offer a good ROI, it can enable staff to work flexibly and theoretically from anywhere in the world, and it can dramatically improve a business’ levels of efficiency.

The benefits are such that firms that aren’t using the Cloud are finding themselves at such a competitive disadvantage. In other words, they need a really good reason for not implementing it into their operations.

However, the sticking point for many of those yet to make the leap is one that is certainly worth paying attention to – security. Failure to actively protect sensitive information within the Cloud could compromise the business, or open it up to possible legal action being launched against it in some situations.

It’s understandable that not every company leader will understand the ins and outs of the technology completely, just as it is to be expected that some will not feel comfortable in placing their trust in a system that could be perceived to carry more risks than what is offered by their current network.

That said, the landscape is changing and providers like Canopy – the open Cloud company are at the forefront of doing everything they can to reassure their clients that adoption of the Cloud does not automatically mean handing over control of the protection of their valuable data.

To support this notion, the European Union is also focusing its efforts on tightening the rules in this area with its proposed Data Protection Regulation later this year. That’s not the only measure, either – with plans afoot for a European Communications Network and the implementation of European cyber security strategies to ensure everyone knows where they stand when it comes to protecting sensitive files on the Cloud.

Part of the proposals include the suggestion that non-compliant companies could face fines of as much as five per cent of their annual worldwide turnover or €100 million ($139 million). Meanwhile, individuals would also be given a “Right to be Forgotten”, by asking for their personal information to be permanently deleted by social media and tech organizations.

These certainly appear to be more than just half measures, aiming to raise awareness of the importance providers and enterprises alike need to place on keeping sensitive data secure.

The industry has responded so that companies can now take a much more tailored approach to managing how they protect the files they can’t afford third parties to get their hands on.

A perfect example of how technology has developed to allow users to get the best of both worlds is the hybrid Cloud. Mixing the scalability of the public model with the increased security options afforded by the private one, this invention should hopefully go some way towards encouraging those who have yet to embrace the Cloud that they can also benefit from its implementation in the future.